The 600 looks just like my fathers' 800. Most of those older machines did not have power steering and were a bear to manuver with a loaded bucket. I like my early 70s tractors and they were very reasonable when I bought them almost 30 years ago. I've seen a Ford 3000 with FEL for $3500 recently. They were a very good machine. You get alot more for your dollar with a bigger and older machine. Good Luck, Rick

The 600 looks just like my fathers' 800. Most of those older machines did not have power steering and were a bear to manuver with a loaded bucket. I like my early 70s tractors and they were very reasonable when I bought them almost 30 years ago. I've seen a Ford 3000 with FEL for $3500 recently. They were a very good machine. You get alot more for your dollar with a bigger and older machine. Good Luck, Rick

I got suckered in to buying the neighbors 3000 with FEL for $2500. " ran when parked" kinda thing. I check the fuel tank and it looked clean and rust free, went back 2 weeks later and it had flash rusted and the fuel turned to yogurt. After $800+ in new parts, it was time to give it a shake down, thats when I found out that it blows water out of the radiator when worked hard, then overheats. I hope it is just a head gasket

tater195, My dads' 800 had the Sherman 13' backhoe too. The 3000 is a very good tractor when taken care of. Parts are reasonable. You may want to consider a full, in the tractor, overhaul of the engine. I would suspect that at the very least the water jackets and passages are blocked. I've seen it before where a bunch of radiator sealers were used and they plugged passages in the block. I've bought some parts for my 2000 from: http://www.fordtractorpart.com/ and was satisfied with their parts and service. Whenever I order from them, I usually order a spare voltage regulator from them. The 2000 and the 4500 have the same generators and voltage regulators. Because I don't use mine very often, the low batteries burn out the regulators in only a couple of years. Good Luck, Rick

the radiator had a hole that was patched about the size of a baseball and 80% plugged with mud, hay, horse poop stuff. I swapped that out with a radiator out of a 4000. They ran it with an open header when the exhaust manifold outlet busted off. I put a Oreilly's special exhaust system with a glass pack on it... and a new water pump... and a new carb... and new belts....and new hoses. I bought most of my parts through the local dealer and YTC ( dont get me started on those yahoos)

It has good compression cold so I dont think a complete overhaul is needed. If it turns out to be a cracked sleeve, I will put new parts back in when it goes back together... along with new clutches $$$$$$$, or I may slap a head gasket in it and call it good. I wont be bush hogging 40 acres with it, just light loader work, snow duty and working the gravel in the drive way... or send it on down the road. Who knows??

I like the idea of a $400 bush hog for the 3pth. Also barrel full of concrete for a rear counterweight to lighten the steering when lifting something big up front...?

The old Fords look low and wide stance. I've heard of more than one newer Kubota loader tipping over in the woods. I don't have a way to pick up a big tractor back onto its wheels so want something won't go over in the first place

Sounds like you can still get most of the motor parts and the transmissions are pretty strong...?

the radiator had a hole that was patched about the size of a baseball and 80% plugged with mud, hay, horse poop stuff. I swapped that out with a radiator out of a 4000. They ran it with an open header when the exhaust manifold outlet busted off. I put a Oreilly's special exhaust system with a glass pack on it... and a new water pump... and a new carb... and new belts....and new hoses. I bought most of my parts through the local dealer and YTC ( dont get me started on those yahoos)

It has good compression cold so I dont think a complete overhaul is needed. If it turns out to be a cracked sleeve, I will put new parts back in when it goes back together... along with new clutches $$$$$$$, or I may slap a head gasket in it and call it good. I wont be bush hogging 40 acres with it, just light loader work, snow duty and working the gravel in the drive way... or send it on down the road. Who knows??

I think that compression gasses are getting into the cooling and overpressuring the radiator cap. They have a tool to check that. I just have not rented one to prove it. It walks like a duck and talks like a duck.